Lights, Camera, Rumor Control!!!

WDWNT on May 30, 2008

Just wanted to take a moment to clear up two rumors about the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

-The space next to Toy Story Midway Mania (known as sound-stage 1) is not being prepared for Pixar Place area expansion at this time. As we reported in April, the space will be the merchandise location for Star Wars Weekends at the Studios beginning in June. I even took a peek inside the studio this week to be sure, and all that I saw were boxes and shelves full of merchandise.

-Of course there has been another leak about the new Star Tours attraction in development (as if there was any doubt this was happening) this week. From what I have been told, the attraction will either close later this year or right after the conclusion of the 2009 Star Wars Weekends at the Studios. Either way, the current feeling is that the attraction can not miss a Star Wars Weekend event during this lengthy refurbishment, so It can only be closed for a year at the most.

Checking In From The World

WDWNT on May 28, 2008

Hello everybody, Tom Corless here reporting from the Walt Disney World Resort in Orland, Florida. It has been a fun and hectic nine days here, but I’ll be returning home to New York tomorrow evening. I apologize for the lack of news lately, but here are some tidbits to tide you over until we are fully operational again on May 29.

-Toy Story Midway Mania was operating perfectly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios the first few days of my vacation, but has suffered greatly from the addition of the fastpass system this past weekend. The stand-by line moved very fast prior to the changes, but wait times after the changes went up to 2 hours in length, despite what the estimated time was stated to be. Expect either limited fastpass distribution or the removal of the system from the attraction sometime in the near future. Also expect the new store and dining location across the street inside the Pixar Studios area to open during the later part of June.

-Work on Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa continues as the entire pool area is slated to be refurbished over the next week or so. In addition, the now delayed new flooring for the main building will be arriving in September and should be in place before the holiday season.

-The Mad Tea Party will be closed for refurbishment May 28th, 2008.

-The Jungle Cruise, Ariel’s Grotto, and Cinderella’s Golden Carousel re-opened from refurbishment recently and are all looking great. The Carousel has received new loading gates that are really well themed and decorated. Expect pictures from me later this week of all of these changes plus other items from my ten day trip.

It’s Alive!!!

WDWNT on May 15, 2008

It appears Disney has already tested the Wall-E living character that will start appearing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over in Los Angeles. Here is a video of the amazing character’s short test:


Wall-E Spotted in LA! from Blink on Vimeo.

Prince Caspian Is Coming

WDWNT on May 13, 2008

Multiple sources have confirmed that the new Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be opening this Friday as the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie is released in theaters. The opening of this exhibit marks the conclusion of 5 months of total inactivity for the right-east corner of the park as Toy Story Midway Mania enters a full-time soft-openings schedule beginning, as well, on Friday. 

Toy Story Midway Mania Fun Facts

WDWNT on May 8, 2008

Here are some little know facts Disney has released about the new Toy Story Midway Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • Each ride vehicle weighs as much as 8,580 Woody dolls.
  • It would take 5,026 toy soldiers lined up end-to-end to make up the total track length.
  • Toy Story Mania! is the first time that Walt Disney Imagineering is creating an attraction for two Disney Parks simultaneously.
  • It has been estimated that, each day, guests may break over one million virtual plates using the spring-action shooters.
  • Riders in the Sky, the award winning group that wrote the songs that Mr. Potato Head performs as part of the attraction, is the same group that wrote “Woody’s Roundup” for the “Toy Story” feature films.
  • This is the first attraction that Walt Disney Imagineering designed where the Imagineers had to wear 3-D glasses to art direct all the black-light paint elements.
  • The murals located in the load area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are the biggest murals painted since Epcot was built.
  • In order to create a show that responds not only to every pull of a guest’s spring-action shooter, but also every move their midway tram makes, there are over 150 computers communicating over multiple networks throughout the attraction.
  • At Toy Story Mania! every guest gets to experience life at the size of a toy. So in Andy’s room, a 5 foot 6 inch person will feel about 14″ tall.
  • More time was spent programming Mr. Potato Head than for any other Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.
  • Mr. Potato Head will be able to say more lines of dialogue than any Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.
  • The Mr. Potato Head Audio-Animatronics figure is the first time that an Audio-Animatronics figure can remove a body part and re-attach it (in the case of his ear).
  • The Mr. Potato Head Audio-Animatronics figure has new, highly expressive and animated eyes that can look directly at a particular guest in the queue when speaking to him/her.
  • Mr. Potato Head marks the first Audio-Animatronics figure whose mouth appears to form words and vowel sounds.

Game:

  • In each of the Toy Story Mania! games, there is at least one “easter egg” — targets that can trigger the appearance of bonus high-value targets and other changes in the scene.
  • Toy Story Mania! is the first time that Woody and Buzz Lightyear (along with some of their friends) from the Disney-Pixar “Toy Story” films appear together in a ride-through attraction.
  • Watch for loose change in the prize scene — Hamm is carrying more than $6 in coins when his cork pops.

Nice to Know:

  • Because of the indoor nature of the attraction and to keep the guest experience fun for all, flash photography or video is not allowed on Toy Story Mania!
  • Everyone can play! There is no height or age restriction for guests to experience Toy Story Mania!
  • Actual ride time aboard Toy Story Mania! is a full five minutes.
  • Ready, aim, fire! Players have 30 seconds in each game play area to score points.
  • A beeline to fun! Toy Story Mania! utilizes Disney’s FASTPASS, a return voucher offering little or no waiting time at select attractions. Single riders also have their own queuing option for Toy Story Mania!

 

Interact With The World

WDWNT on May 8, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — When Walt Disney World guests “shrink” to the size of the toys they play with at home (or remember from their childhood) and become the star performers in the midway-game world of Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they are experiencing the essence of Disney Parks: engagement in such an immersive and interactive way that guests become part of the show.

Every day, Disney cast members invite guests to play special roles in entertainment throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Other immersive experiences include such roles as starring in a parade down Main Street, U.S.A., learning dance moves from the Disney Channel sensation “High School Musical 2,” dueling with Darth Vader and many more.

“These experiences transport our guests deep into the magical realms of what Disney parks are all about,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Rather than imagine being in a Disney parade or what it’s like to sail with Captain Jack Sparrow, these transformational experiences put our guests right in the heart of their dreams.”

It’s a Disney tradition that goes back to the very beginning of Disney Parks — the opening of Disneyland in 1955 — and is a consideration every time the famed Disney Imagineers huddle to fathom new magic.

In the latest immersive-entertainment experience, Toy Story Mania! guests are transported into a 4-D world where they compete in virtual midway-style games hosted by characters from the Disney-Pixar films “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Donning 3-D glasses and using spring-action shooters, guests launch virtual darts at balloons, rings at aliens and eggs at whimsical barnyard targets to see who can rack up the most points. Guests may even experience some special 4-D effects during different parts of the game.

And the interactive fun doesn’t stop when guests put down their toy shooters. Here’s a sampling of other immersive experiences happening every day at Walt Disney World Resort:

  • “Block Party Bash” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). A new traveling show that lets guests play, dance and party with favorite Disney-Pixar characters from smash-hit animated films like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.” Block Party Bash rocks and rolls throughout the park, putting guests in the middle of an impromptu party during one of the wildest, most interactive street spectaculars ever.
  • “High School Musical 2: School’s Out!” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Wildcat fever has guests dancing in the streets in the new interactive show presented multiple times daily. Inspired by the Disney Channel’s record-breaking, original film, “High School Musical 2,”the high-energy cast invites guests to join the fun as they sing and dance along to the movie’s hit tunes, including “What Time Is It?,” “All For One” and “I Don’t Dance.”
  • Jedi Training Academy (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Taking a cue from the popular Star Wars Saga, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine for an original and intergalactic entertainment experience. Young Jedi hopefuls — known in ‘Star Wars-speak’ as “Padawans” — learn lightsaber moves from a Jedi Master before facing off in a final test against the evil Darth Vader. Created with Lucasfilm Ltd., Jedi Training Academy is presented multiple times daily, adjacent to the popular Star Tours attraction.
  • “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Some of the most beloved characters from the Disney Channel lineup are featured in a singing, clapping and be-bopping show designed for preschoolers. The show stars favorites from popular Disney Channel programs including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and more.
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland). Armed with infrared lasers, Magic Kingdom guests join forces with Buzz Lightyear to defend Earth’s supply of batteries from the evil Emperor Zurg in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, a spinning, brought-to-life Tomorrowland spin-off of the hit movie “Toy Story.” The shoot-’em-up fun triggers sight and sound gags, while a lighted display inside toy-spaceship ride vehicles allows guests to keep score.
  • Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial (Magic Kingdom Adventureland).Looking for new recruits, Captain Jack and his mate Mack lead guests through a series of pirate skill tests to prove their mettle. Who is craftiest at wooden swordplay? Who can flash their most menacing pirate grimace? Faster than you can say “Yo, Ho! Yo, Ho! A Pirate’s Life for Me!” the big moment arrives: getting officially sworn in with the Pirate’s Oath to become honorary buccaneers of Captain Jack’s famous Pirate Crew.
  • Woody’s Cowboy Camp (Magic Kingdom Frontierland). There’s a rootin’ tootin’ good time in store as Woody, Jesse and Bullseye invite everyone to Woody’s Cowboy Camp! Ridin’ in on a wagon are some of their best cowpoke pals, along with Sam the Singin’ Cowboy who leads a rollicking hoedown. Led by Bullseye and saddled up on wooden stick horses, kids giddy-up their way through a cowboy obstacle course — maneuvering around parents donning hats shaped like cacti, mountains and mine shafts. It’s kick-up-your-spurs, hootin’ and hollerin’ fun as the cowboy spirit comes to life on the dusty streets of Frontierland.
  • “Main Street Family Fun Day Parade” (Magic Kingdom Main Street, U.S.A.). For the very first time, guests are able to parade down Main Street, U.S.A. alongside favorite Disney characters. It’s a pennant-waving, drum-beating rush for guests when they join characters and march alongside parade floats, a marching band and an old-timey fire truck. There’s even a stroller drill team to accommodate little paraders and their parents. When the parade hits Town Square, guests join the performers for a flag-waving patriotic finale.

Also happening in the theme parks every day:

  • “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” (Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland). Guests laugh, joke and match wits with the beloved animated characters from Disney-Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” in an engaging and interactive attraction created by the Disney Imagineers. “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” features one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski, who has opened a comedy club to collect laughs that will generate power for the future. As Monster-of-Ceremonies, Mike recruits two comedian wannabes whose slapstick humor delights and engages audiences. Guests even get to text-message jokes on their cell phones for possible use in the show.
  • “Turtle Talk With Crush” (Epcot). Crush, from Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” has made a different kind of screen debut in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at Epcot — as a chatting, joking quipster who engages guests in conversation from his movie-screen undersea environment. “Turtle Talk With Crush” showcases real-time animation using digital projection and sophisticated, voice-activated animation.

And that’s not all! Coming in winter 2008:

  • “American Idol” Attraction (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Starry-eyed Disney guests will get a taste of TV’s pop culture phenomenon — up close and personal — when Disney’s Hollywood Studios unwraps an “American Idol” attraction in winter 2008. Guests will be able to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive setting modeled after the “American Idol” set. There will be multiple show times daily. Guests advancing through the screening process have the chance, in the nightly final competition, to win a guaranteed reservation for a regional audition for the “American Idol” TV show.

 

Toy Story Mania Pictures

WDWNT on May 1, 2008

To see pictures of the Pixar Place area and the queue and loaing area for the new Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head over to the great photo update at Orlando United by clicking HERE.

Toy Story Mania Update

WDWNT on April 25, 2008

While I cannot say whether or not I experienced the new Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week, I can share a few news bites about the soon-to-open interactive adventure.

-Cast Member previews were originally scheduled for this weekend, but are now going to take place from May 2-4, 2008. However, some guests and cast have already play-tested the attraction.

-It seems the rumors of a separate track in the ride were right, as we are now being told that the trams will split down two individual tracks in order to provide a higher capacity.

-The loading area for the attraction is themed to the underneath of Andy’s bed, a much more detailed experience then you will find at the Disney’s California Adventure version of Toy Story Mania. The attraction’s queue is going to take place on two levels of the show building.

Please stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to gain information on the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

4/14/08 Jose Eber Update

WDWNT on April 15, 2008

Jose Eber returns with another video update from Walt Disney World!!! This time, Jose updates us on American Idol and Pixar Place construction, as well as some other minor updates from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Enjoy!!!

Disney

WDWNT on April 10, 2008

I found a rather funny press release put out by Disney earlier this week and felt I should share it with our readers. This is probably the first time Disney has acknowledged that they have a huge number of attractions based on Pixar films:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It’s a Pixar palooza at Disney Parks! In family-friendly attractions and immersive experiences on both coasts of the United States, guests can do it all — find Nemo, zap Zurg and meddle with Monsters.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Coming this summer to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., is a whole new interactive adventure: Toy Story Mania!

Celebrating Disney-Pixar classics “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” this new ride-game experience combines delightful film characters with personality-matching games guests can play. Donning 3-D glasses, guests shrink to the size of a toy and hop fanciful ride vehicles following a midway-themed route. At each game booth, they aim for animated targets using special on-board spring-action shooters. And since games adapt to the skill level of each player, beginners and gamers alike have plenty of reasons to ride — and play — again and again.

Toy Story Mania! debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida in late May and at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim in late June. It joins these other experiences inspired by favorite Disney-Pixar characters and films.

At Walt Disney World Resort:

  • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor — Guests find the power of laughter in an engaging and interactive adventure inspired by “Monsters, Inc.” as they match wits with the one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski and his friends. As Monster-of-Ceremonies, Mike recruits comedian wanna-bes whose humor delights audiences at a 400-seat theater in Magic Kingdom.
  • Finding Nemo-The Musical — The undersea world that charmed audiences in “Finding Nemo” comes to life in a musical stage show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The 30-minute Broadway-style production immerses guests in the story of Marlin and Nemo, an overprotective clownfish father and his curious son, with imaginative puppetry, dazzling special effects and an original musical score.
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends — This whimsical and visually stunning attraction at Epcot picks up where the film “Finding Nemo” left off. Riding aboard “clamobiles” in a colorful coral reef setting, guests meet Mr. Ray and learn that Nemo has wandered off. The journey continues as Dory, Bruce, Marlin, Squirt and Crush help with the search. These deep-sea friends inhabit a variety of vibrant vignettes, including a huge aquarium that contains more than 65 species of marine life.
  • Block Party Bash — This high-energy extravaganza at Disney’s Hollywood Studios cranks the music and excitement to the max, putting guests in the middle of the wildest Disney spectacle ever — a non-stop musical block party that doubles as a fun-filled interactive street spectacular. Featuring characters from “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Monster’s, Inc.” and “The Incredibles,” “Block Party Bash” combines dancers, acrobats, stilt performers and a caravan of electric scooters to fill the performance area with awe-inspiring visual and sound sensations.

    •           At Disneyland Resort:

  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage — Guests embark on an underwater expedition where they discover Nemo and his finned friends from “Finding Nemo.” Thanks to cutting-edge imaging technology, characters such as Dory, Marlin, Crush, Bruce and, of course, Nemo, come to life before guests’ eyes in a brilliantly colored lagoon at Disneyland Park. 
  • a bug’s land — Designed especially for kids, this land at Disney’s California Adventure features Flik’s Fun Fair, which is full of attractions inspired by the film “A Bug’s Life.” Children can experience the world from a bug’s point of view by visiting Flik’s Flyers, Francis’ Ladybug Boogie, Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, Princess Dot Puddle Park, and Tuck and Roll Drive’Em Buggies. Families can then cap off their adventures with a screening of the 3-D spectacular “It’s Tough to be a Bug.”
  • Monster’s Inc., Mike and Sulley to the Rescue — Disney’s California Adventure guests are in for a ride of “monstrous” proportion as they climb aboard taxis and hit the streets of Monstropolis with Mike, Sulley and Boo. Along the way they’ll encounter the super-sneaky Randall Boggs, the yellow-suited agents of the Child Detection Agency and other characters from the film.
  • Pixar Play Parade — Characters from Disney-Pixar films “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Cars” and “Ratatouille” dance onto the parade route and invite guests of all ages to join in a whirling, spinning, fun-for-all animated playground. This daily spectacle at Disney’s California Adventure is brought to life in giant parade floats, puppetry, acrobatics and interactive surprises including bubble, fire and water effects.

    •           At both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort:

  • Turtle Talk With Crush — Crush from “Finding Nemo” has made a different kind of screen debut at Epcot and Disneyland Park — as a chatting, joking quipster who engages guests in conversation from his movie-screen undersea environment. The interactive show is a breakthrough experience in real-time animation using digital projection and sophisticated, voice-activated animation.
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug — Inside the massive trunk of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, and at the heart of Disney’s California Adventure’s “a bug’s land,” is “It’s Tough to be a Bug,” a humorous 3-D film and special effects show starring Earth’s least-known wild creatures — and a few familiar faces from “A Bug’s Life.” Guests will recognize friendly Flik and the villainous Hopper, but the rest of the show promises some “stingingly” surprising antics.
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (WDW) / Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters (DLR) — Armed with infrared lasers, guests join forces with Buzz Lightyear to defend Earth’s supply of batteries from the evil Emperor Zurg in a spinning, brought-to-life spin-off of the movie “Toy Story.” The shoot-’em-up fun at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park triggers sight and sound gags, while a lighted display inside toy-spaceship vehicles allows guests to keep score.

    • For more information about Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort visit disneyworld.com and www.disneyland.com.